The talks with a group Chinese companies for the exploitation of Gara-Djebilet ore deposit (160 km, south east of Tindouf) are nearing "finalization," the Ministry of Mines in Algeria.
The same source explained that "the discussions with a group of Chinese companies are in the final stage and will be signed very soon."
The Minister of Mines, Muhammad Arkab, announced in early January that this huge project would be launched during the current month, explaining that "negotiations are underway with a foreign partner to complete a complex to produce 12 million tons / year."
It is noteworthy that the fields of iron mines in Gara Djebilat mine , which contain a significant percentage of iron (more than 50 percent), are easy to exploit with reserves estimated at 3.5 billion tonness.
The minerals of Gara Djebilat are distributed in three locations: Gara Al Gharb, Gara Al Wasat, and Ghar Al Sharq, which represents a total area of 40 thousand hectares.